1998 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT from North America - Comments

I own a 1998 dodge 1500 4x4 with a 5.9 engine.I've had the truck for a year now. The engine began to ping with spark knock and I had that fixed with a computer update installed.11 months latter and the problem is back.

The lock up torque converter locks in and out after the transmission shifts into overdrive. I also believe the rear shocks need replacing as the back wheels frequently pop off the ground when I hit bumps in the road. This wasn't a problem until recently and it's getting worse. The fuel injectors are also noisy, which is annoying. Any input would be helpful.

Wolfert@dotnet.com.

I own a 1996 Ram 1500 with 100,000 Miles. Have had all the steering replaced twice (Idler Arm, Pitman Arm, U-Joints, etc) now... torque converter & solenoid, etc. has gone out at a cost of $2000. I was curious as to if this was a common problem with Dodge Rams...well, this site gave me my answer. NEVER BY A DODGE AGAIN!

I bought this new 1999 dodge ram 1500 4x4 I love this truck, it presently has 175,000 miles this truck gets 3 tanks of gas a week and a oil change every month and a set of tires every year, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'am still on the stock transmission it has never been rebuilt, although it does hesitate going into second sometimes. under the hood I have only replaced one thermostat sepentine belt and two sets of plugs and one set of brakes. i maintain this truck myself. it is the best truck I have ever owned.

Dave Northwood NH

I have always tryed to buy, made in the U.S.A, but after this Dodge truck, never again, if this is what you get when you buy made in the U.S.A. I'am done.

I just bought a '97 ram 1500 club cab 4x4 with 72k from the original owner. It was very well maintained with no major problems other than regular scheduled service. This truck rides, shifts and feels like a new one! It doesn't make any strange noises, and I don't have a single complaint with it. We've been a mopar family since before I was born, and I will always buy mopar!

This is my last Big 3 vehicle. I have currently have a 2000 Dodge 150 4X4 which I've owned since new. In the past year the following have failed:

34000 miles the heater core failed, $1300.00.

36000 miles the steering box failed, $900.00.

Last night (43000 miles) the hood latch failed allowing the hood to flip back while traveling 50 MPH. (Lucky no one was hurt) Estimated cost to replace hood, $1000.00.

I've had other expensive repairs on my last 4 vehicles, one Ford, one Chevy and 2 Chrysler products. The Big 3 have seen my last dollar.

I own a 1998 Dodge Quad cab 2 wheel drive. I've gor 109,000 on it now. Rear brakes have not worked properly since I purchased it, replaced front pads 4 times now, rear srill looks like new! Brakes do grab well (throw you into dash) when it's dewy outside. Serviced the transmission 2 weeks ago and discovered one of the valve body bolts in the pan. Checked the rest of the bolts and all were loose, tightened them back up..."dodged" that arrow! ABS light came on at the same time my speedometer started malfunctioning, replaced one speed sensor (on transmission, NOT it and now have to replace another, I didn't realize there was another one one on the rear. Hopefully this will cure current problem. Engine light has been on for about 6 months now. There doesn't seem to be a problem...we'll see. It first came on when truck started missing, changed wires & plugs cured it. Also had to replace catalytic converter at 72,000. I upkeep truck myself and sincerely hope this will be the last of my problems for a while. I had an idea about the gas mileage before going in, always owned a truck, I can live with 13-17 mpg. Overall I love this truck, I'd probably buy another one.

I just bought a 1998 RAM 1500 4x4, found out the fuel gauge is off buy a 1/2 tank. The rear differential has been making a grinding noise, and getting worse by the day. The CD player doesn't work. I've already had to put plugs, wires, cap, & rotor because it was missing on three CYL. The truck only has 73,000 miles, new paint & perfect interior. The truck is just sweet, but I'm struggling just to pay the taxes let alone all the repair bills adding up already. My wife is on my case about it, not sure what to do. I guess I'll have to sell my 70 roadrunner, nobody wants my truck because it always setting at a shop.

June 1995 I purchased a new Ram 1500 4x4 and since then:

12,000 miles took into shop for vibration and after 3 days I went to shop and saw entire transmission laying out on table. They didn't tell me what was wrong, but two weeks later I had to take it back for the rear seal leaking. The a/c evaporator leaked and had to be replaced. I had to replace the brakes including one set of rotors twice before 40,000K. The steering column was replaced, Intake manifold gasket was replaced twice, and starting in 98 the paint started peeling off on the fenders. Dodge told me there was a paint problem and instead of painting the entire truck, they just painted each body part as they failed. This is all before warranty expired. Now the fun starts. After the warranty more paint started peeling from the roof, hood and tailgate, Dodge told me it was out of warranty and they suggested I need to paint the entire truck. After some serious discussion and almost getting the media involved, they painted my truck. So far so good. While driving about 35 mph the rear quit. Replaced with Jasper rebuild, three year warranty ($2300). Both wheel bearing failed within two months of each other ($620.00) Ball joints, tie rods replaced twice. (Approx. $720.00) Now, there was a noise banging / grinding noise coming from the front of the truck I took it to another shop and had to have the steering box, left wheel bearing and track bar replaced ($1300) and guess what? It still makes the same noise. They've had it for two weeks and I picked it up yesterday and the grinding noise is worse!! It grinds when I acelerate intermittently. It doesn't do it in reverse or 4WD. I suspect the transfer case. Oh-Boy. The mechanic told me to just keep driving it and the problem will reveal itself, can you believe it?? Believe it or not, I still love my truck, but I will probably buy a Ford next time even though I know all the trucks have their problems.

1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 Quad Cab. P.O.S..!!! Do not buy a Dodge truck. They are first class JUNK..!!! All the above comments are true. I have had the fuel sending unit in the tank replaced, the rear-end rebuilt and is making noise again, cracked head replaced, I've lost count how many times I had to replace the front brakes, replaced rear speed sensor, replaced transmission twice and getting ready for the third. Torque Converters are WORTHLESS...!!! I can say one good thing about Dodge trucks, they keep mechanics in business, definite job security as a mechanic as long as Dodge keeps making vehicles. That is the first and last Dodge or Chrysler I will ever own.

I own a 1996 Dodge 2wd truck. I have owned it for a year now and have done the following: Replaced the fuel pump $600. New brakes $400. front end work $1200. steering column work $260. New torque converter $740. New freeze plugs $300. I got this truck from my grandfather. He used synthetic oil and took good care of it. I love this truck, but sometimes it makes me mad. I still need new shocks, and my check engine light comes on every once in a while. They say it's a misfire in cylinder #5 so I also had to get new plugs, wires, cap and rotor which cost $200 or so (I lost track). The check engine light still comes on. I also own a Ford F-550. At 49,000 miles the powerstroke got "dusted". I have the "100,000" mile "warranty". The people at ford informed me that because of poor maintenance, I dusted the turbo and ruined the engine. They of course would not cover the warranty. That cost me $1700 for them to tear down the motor and see the dust in the turbo. When I had someone else rebuild the engine, ($12,000) we found out that the air intake box was faulty. I maintain my trucks perfectly and for ford to treat me in such a way was horrible. I am not happy with ford and will never buy from them as long as I live. As for the dodge, I hope I don't have to put more money into it. I'm not going to hold my breath.

I was thinking about buying a 1995 dodge ram 1500 4x4, the transmission is the problem with it and the torque converter is also bad. My cousin is a mechanic for dodge dealer. The advise is for any Dodge owner is to go with transmision made by Jasper engine, Napa has info. on this tranny and torqe converter. Another tip at every oil change get your old transmission fluid drain and blowed out and add new fluid. The stock transmission is junk, get it changed with Jasper transmission. Good Luck. Isacc.

I own a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Off-road that I bought straight out of college. Loved the look of the truck, and no matter what anyone told me about the quality, I was going to own it. Well, 4 years, 90k miles, 2 sets of ball joints, 1 U-Joint, 1 transfer case, and now 1 torque converter and solenoid later I wish I had listened to them (I've never towed anything close to the THEORETICAL limits of the truck). I had better luck with my hand me down vehicles in high school. My wife and I just purchased a new vehicle, and as much as I like the styling of the Chrysler product line, I will never purchase one again.

I have had all big three Ford Dodge Chevy. Dodge seems to be the weakest It seems that all dodge sevice departments take at least 6 times to fix the problems. If they would take at least high school auto we would all be better off. I suggest If you want a good vehicle build one like I did a 1955 chevy 454 ls6 4 speed rockcrusher so we can still have pride in American made vehicles. God bless America. I've just ordered my transmission for my 1998 dodge ram 2500 clubcab I am out $2.500.00 that was fun!!

I own a 1998 Dodge Ram reg. cab short bed 1500 4x4. I have owned a total of 6 dodges in my life. I love the way they look and ride. The problems that I have had with my truck are as follows.At 95690 miles the engine smokes and uses 4 quarts every 100 miles. Wheel bearings both sides out on the front, #8 cylinder misfire due to oil fouling. Both front axle seals, left side axle went out both left and right u-joints went out. A clutch (5 speed manual trans.) but I know that the entire engine cooling system has been replaced. I know that people talk bad about Dodge... bad mouthing them, and that's cool because that's all I'm going to buy. The problems I have had with my truck minus the cooling system are my fault. From playing in high water I sucked water in through the intake manifold and that's why it smokes so bad. The axle and bearing are also my fault from running every other day in mud and water and not cleaning and greasing it like I should. Now if the truth be told about all the problems with dodge trannys., is you may not haul alot, but hard acceleration and playing around in off road applications is one of the hardest things there is on a transmission. The factory installed Dodge transmissions do not hold up. If you buy a Dodge from 1993 till 2002 buy one with a stick shift, as they have the same manufacture of the transmission as does Chevrolet five speeds. I have had zero problems out of my trans. save for my clutch, but that's my fault for racing and mudding too much!. Any questions or comments contact me at killer_harding@yahoo.com

Jeremy Harding.